Entertainment

5min.com Launches Videopedia

5min.com, which launched on Monday, provides a great service called Life Videopedia.

Anyone can upload an instructional video to lend their expertise in a variety of subjects. In this manner the 5min Videopedia functions similarly to VideoJug, though a main differentiator is 5min's option to leave a question to be answered by a 5min expert. You'll remember that another company experimenting with a video-based Q&A board is Jabbits.

When it comes to creating a service that provides information in a visual manner, 5min has done a pretty good job. Their best feature may be their Smart Player, which offers different ways in which the video can be experienced (slow-motion, in reverse, zoom, watch by frame), and they include a story board as well, so you can get step-by-step textual instructions along with the video.

5min has the other necessities of a video-hosting site, including an embed feature, ratings and comments. Something they could take from VideoJug is making the videos available for download in mobile and iPod formats. The next steps could also include adding a live chat, perhaps with the instructor, and maybe a Vlip-style video message board. A nice attempt.

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